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Grasshop34 Veteran user Cincinnati, OH 308 Posts |
I just got back from attending the VentHaven ConVENTtion in KY http://www.venthaven.com (which was amazing by the way) and purchased Axtell's new Off The Meter. http://www.axtell.com Luckily, I live in Cincinnati and was still able to perform a show this morning, Although I missed Jeff Dunum's lecture which I wasn't too happy about. So I was the first, besides Steve, to try out this new amazing audience warm-up tool.
The effect is basically an audience applause meter. After a bit of byplay by having the audience compete who is the loadest, you have everyone applaud and cheer and the the meter breaks open with a colorful surprize. Their applause was off the meter! I bought this the day before and was confidence enough with its easy mechanics and plot that I thought I'd try it out today. I had a back up warm-up ready in case it didn't play well and bombed. Well I didn't need my back up because it played great and the kids' loved it! In fact it got a beter reaction then my warm-up I've performed hundreds of times. At the end they really thought they broke it and were shocked (great reaction) then laughed knowing it was a gag. I used a couple of other gags such an ugly meter. I enjoyed the rollercoaser of emotions it brought to the audience. I highly recommend this visual prop for it's reactions, ease of use, and success for the all important warm-up. Jason |
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The Great Smartini Inner circle 2280 Posts |
Jason,
thanks for sharing your experience with this cool prop...I've already ordered one and am looking forward to using it. Smartini |
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Thanks for that informative post. I too, knew ahead of time this would be an audience pleaser and the kids would love it. I can't wait to get mine ans try it.
Dennis
Dennis Michael
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axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
While I'm happy that Jason has such an immediate success right out of the shoot, I recommend practicing with it a week or so before performing it. It's not that it's real difficult but you do have some handling to perfect. In fact the power of Off the Meter is in the handling, and in what a real pro can milk out of it!
Good job Jason! Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
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WayneNZ Inner circle New Zealand 1013 Posts |
Steve ,
any idea when You will start shipping ? cheers Wayne ( who has His order in ) |
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Neznarf Inner circle NY then AZ now 1840 Posts |
Yes Steve
Any idea when you'll start shipping? I ordered mine early last week
"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning how to dance in the rain."
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axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
Thank you for your trust and your orders. We're currently building 100 (which are mostly sold) and will be making several hundred after that. They have already started shipping from the first batch of 20. We'll be making about 20-30 per week so it won't be more than a few weeks. The current orders should all be shipped out before Kidabra. I will hold 25 for Kidabra from these 100, so we'll have 70-75 to ship out soon. If you are going to Kidabra and currently have an order on the list yours will be shipped from the office before Kidabra. The 25 we bring will be for new sales only.
I don't handle the list or the shipping so I am not sure who's getting these first. Betsy my customer service manager is handling all of that in a fair manner. Her email is order@axtell.com
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
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bsears Inner circle Cincinnati, Ohio 1040 Posts |
My recommendation to anyone thinking about buying this is to watch Steve's demo video. You'll know right away if its right for you.
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donsmagic Loyal user 258 Posts |
I ordered one and can't wait to use it. Those of you that have one right away are lucky. I'm on a waiting list!
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axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
Soon, there will be other performer videos using this prop in ways I haven't imagined. I am excited to see them come in. I'm hearing about the various ideas and uses by entertainers already. I hope it develops into so much more than an applause meter for some of you.
I can see a mind reading act....have a man and woman up from the audience....hold the sensor right on an audience member's head and read the man's thoughts about the woman standing next to him.... a 6! Hold it to her head....what is she thinking about him....nothing....is this thing working?? Back on his....a 7! Yes it's working.... Back on her's....zero. Laughs laughs laughs. Then put his hand on her shoulder to get the "connection" going better...and test them again.... it quickly moves up to a 10 and KABAM..it breaks!!!! Laughs and applause.... Lots more ideas coming.
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
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Grasshop34 Veteran user Cincinnati, OH 308 Posts |
I used off the meter in two more shows today and it played really well again. I'm very excited about this new opener.
Jason |
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Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
I understand that the colorful surprise when the meter blows up is foam confetti. Has any thought of an alternative that is not as messy? Would it be possible to use something else and still get about the same impact.
Regan
Mister Mystery
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axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
Hi Reagan, The confetti I used in the video was a variety of 1/2" - 3/4" diecut shapes so they pick up easy, not like tiny pieces of paper. I used only about 1/2 hand full (25-30 pcs). They pick up in about 10-20 sec. Not bad. Several are using it without any confetti just the springs, but chunks of foam torn into blocks are even easier to pick up 4-6 pieces. I just think that adding something that visually falls out onto the floor give it more of a broken chaotic feel. I'd love to hear other ideas too.....
Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
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The Mighty Fool Inner circle I feel like a big-top tent having 2140 Posts |
I'll be ordering one soon (makes the original clapometer thingy look like trash!!). Here's an idea, if you have the 'makin' sparks' effect (sylvester the jester) how about a shower of sparks emitting from the meter's top just before explosion.
Everybody wants to beleive.....we just help them along.
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Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
Hey, thanks Steve!
I have to worry about reset time with everything I do. I don't have much time between shows sometimes. My Axtell collection keeps growing. I'll have to think about Off The Meter, but I will probably be putting my name on the list too. Regan
Mister Mystery
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axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
Mighty Fool.....you are so right! Dan and I have been talking about this. We'll probably be making an accessory for this purpose.
Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
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axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
However Mighty...I must disagree about something..... I think Trevor Lewis' Clap-O-Meter is a clever device and deserves original credit for bringing the idea into the magic community, and at such a low cost. He's brilliant.
Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
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axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
I have put up photos of other ideas for confetti, fatter foam pieces, pom poms, rubber poms, etc. that you can use. Most of these are quick pick up items. 10-15 sec.
I have also put a photo of the lever/spring/gear mechanism so you can peek inside "OFF THE METER" There is a lot going on to give you reliable accurate control over that silly needle. Many people have mentioned that they appreciate the design direction I gave this product using a 50' style retro-analog meter (rather than computery LEDs. We actually spent a lot of time and money developing and alternative design using colored LEDs, but in the end it was WAY funnier to see the needle moving back and forth across the numbers. Also the bright colors read well and look funny as soon as you bring it out. Oh....you can see the photos on the webpage. Click on the Magic Café ad, or here http://www.axtell.com/meter.html Enjoy! Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
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Lou Hilario Inner circle 2235 Posts |
If I were to use this, I would use candies of different shapes, colors and sizes to fall off instead of foam pieces. Or even small toys so that kids can pick them up if you are near them or give them away later.
Magic, Illusions, Juggling, Puppet & Parrot Show ^0^
http://www.louhilario.net |
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Marvello Inner circle It's amazing how little I can say in 1612 Posts |
A few hand coils would make a nice visual, messy (and easy to clean up) addition to the foam confetti.
I am really excited about the possibilites of the many uses of the meter, such as a geiger counter, a lie detector, a "card-locating-machine," (the chosen card or several of the same card could fall out of the meter when it blows up), an "hot or not" ugly meter (and have it blow up when I turn the machine on myself), etc.. The ideas are only limited to your imagination.
Never criticize someone else until you have walked a mile in their shoes. Then, when you do criticize them, you will be a mile away from them and you will have their shoes.
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